Guinea Pig
ExploreMammals
Guinea Pig
Cavia porcellus
Guinea pigs are small, gentle rodents that make soft squeaky sounds. They like to live in groups and need cozy cages with room to explore.
Habitat: Indoor cages or hutches, kept warm and dry.
Appearance
The Guinea Pig is a stout, tailless rodent with a compact body and a generally short neck. It has small, rounded ears and large, bright eyes, often sporting fur in a wide range of colors like white, black, brown, cream, or tricolor patterns, sometimes appearing fluffy or smooth.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderRodentiaFamilyCaviidaeGenusCavia
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Baby guinea pigs are born fully developed with fur and open eyes!
Guinea pigs sleep only about four hours a day, taking short naps!
In the wild, their ancestors lived in burrows made by other animals.
They are not from Guinea and are not related to pigs!
Special abilities
Ability
Chatty Communicator
Guinea Pigs can make a variety of squeaks and purrs that help them talk to each other and their human friends.
Ability
Nutrient Guardian
Guinea Pigs must get Vitamin C from their food because their bodies cannot make it, unlike most mammals.
Ability
Joyful Jumper
Guinea Pigs can "popcorn," doing sudden jumps and twists to show they are happy and excited.
Ability
Endless Chompers
Guinea Pigs have teeth that grow constantly, which helps them grind down tough plant material without wearing out.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 20-25 cm
- Weight
- 0.7-1.2 kg
- Lifespan
- 5-8 years
- Top Speed
- 10 km/h
- Litter Size
- 1-6
- Gestation
- 59-72 days
Diet & Feeding
They love munching on hay and fresh veggies to keep their teeth healthy and their tummies full.
Primary Foods
- hay
- leafy greens
- bell peppers
- carrots
- guinea pig pellets
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Cougar
Puma concolor
Wild ancestors were prey for large predators.
eaten by
Colocolo
Leopardus colocolo
Wild ancestors were prey for wild cats.
eats
Perennial Ryegrass
Lolium perenne
A common grass grazed by wild ancestors and pets.
eats
White Clover
Trifolium repens
A favorite plant of wild ancestors and modern pets.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Domesticated
Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Also known as
CavyDomestic Cavy
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Handle them gently and always support their body to avoid injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Guinea Pig?
20-25 cm
How much does Guinea Pig weigh?
0.7-1.2 kg
How long does Guinea Pig live?
5-8 years
How fast can Guinea Pig move?
10 km/h
What does Guinea Pig eat?
They love munching on hay and fresh veggies to keep their teeth healthy and their tummies full.
Where is Guinea Pig usually found?
Indoor cages or hutches, kept warm and dry.
How does Guinea Pig hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does Guinea Pig usually have?
1-6
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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Where to spot
Zoo30 sightings19 species
Tennessee, US
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
You might spot Parachromis Managuensis, Giraffes, and Common Ostrich.
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Zoo12 sightings5 species
Hawaii, US
Honolulu Zoo
You might spot African Lion, Komodo Dragon, and Giraffes.
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Zoo9 sightings4 species
Saxony, DE
Naturschutz-Tierpark Görlitz
You might spot Cattle, Banded Mongoose, and Guinea Pig.
View guide →
Zoo4 sightings3 species
Gibraltar, GI
Alameda Wildlife Conservation Park
You might spot Parakeet, Tortoises, and Guinea Pig.
View guide →
